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Five Casts & A Lifetime of Memories
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Life is a journey that can be full of challenges and unexpected surprises hiding behind even the most simple rock structures. For Chris and his son Austin, they visited the lower French River Delta for just a day out fishing the same as when Chris remembered growing up fishing with his father.
My Experience Fishing
“My father was the one who started me on fishing. Just about every day — every morning we would go to a spot to catch bait fish with a dip net. Later we would go to one of our bass spots and catch our limit. My father and I would go home and clean all the fish. We probably ate fish about three or four nights a week growing up... Sadly, my father passed away thirteen years ago so I decided to embark on this musky quest because of him. I felt it would be a new challenge to try musky fishing.”
“I started musky fishing three years ago. At first, I thought i -
A Trip He Will Never Forget!
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On his first trip to Bear’s Den Lodge, 10 year old Tommy L. caught this 24 pound, 47” musky on a white spinnerbait.
In addition, a total of 131 pike were boated by the group in 3 days of fishing with his father and grandfather on the French River.
A trip that Tommy will never forget!
Will you be next? -
Father’s Day Hook
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"Some People come to fish for a fish, I fish for fish. It's not a contest, big small and in between. I just fish for fish. It didn't count my muskie I caught on a spinnerbait, it was just another fish." - Jim Johnson 53 years fishing the French River at Bear's Den Lodge.
[caption id="attachment_2461" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 1966 of Jim Johnson fishing from a cedar boat[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2460" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Jim Johnson's 53 year with a largemouth bass[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="243"] Dr. Robert M. Johnson fishing from the main dock at Bear's Den Lodge.[/caption]
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A Musky for Father’s Day
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"Nothing like catching musky in your front yard!" said Chris Burnette to the start of his and Harry Haddix’s week at Bear’s Den Lodge. The seasoned West Virginian muskie hunters had fished some of their favorite French River muskie holes, but after a long day they decided to troll home during the twilight hours.
As the minutes passed so did the casts as they entered into Bear’s Den Bay when Harry’s last cast of the evening had action. A boil of water rose to the surface as Harry was retrieving his suick. His hands quickened as he worked his action, doing all that he could to entice the would be trophy to clench his lure, but to his and Chris’s dismay “she would not take the bait” as she eventually lost interest. Without giving up, Harry cast three more times into the same hole he originally brought her out of and to his surprise he hooked into a different muski
Life is a journey that can be full of challenges and unexpected surprises hiding behind even the most simple rock structures. For Chris and his son Austin, they visited the lower French River Delta for just a day out fishing the same as when Chris remembered growing up fishing with his father.
My Experience Fishing
“My father was the one who started me on fishing. Just about every day — every morning we would go to a spot to catch bait fish with a dip net. Later we would go to one of our bass spots and catch our limit. My father and I would go home and clean all the fish. We probably ate fish about three or four nights a week growing up... Sadly, my father passed away thirteen years ago so I decided to embark on this musky quest because of him. I felt it would be a new challenge to try musky fishing.”
“I started musky fishing three years ago. At first, I thought i 
On his first trip to Bear’s Den Lodge, 10 year old Tommy L. caught this 24 pound, 47” musky on a white spinnerbait.
In addition, a total of 131 pike were boated by the group in 3 days of fishing with his father and grandfather on the French River.
A trip that Tommy will never forget!
Will you be next? 
"Some People come to fish for a fish, I fish for fish. It's not a contest, big small and in between. I just fish for fish. It didn't count my muskie I caught on a spinnerbait, it was just another fish." - Jim Johnson 53 years fishing the French River at Bear's Den Lodge.
[caption id="attachment_2461" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 1966 of Jim Johnson fishing from a cedar boat[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2460" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Jim Johnson's 53 year with a largemouth bass[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="243"] Dr. Robert M. Johnson fishing from the main dock at Bear's Den Lodge.[/caption]
"Nothing like catching musky in your front yard!" said Chris Burnette to the start of his and Harry Haddix’s week at Bear’s Den Lodge. The seasoned West Virginian muskie hunters had fished some of their favorite French River muskie holes, but after a long day they decided to troll home during the twilight hours.
As the minutes passed so did the casts as they entered into Bear’s Den Bay when Harry’s last cast of the evening had action. A boil of water rose to the surface as Harry was retrieving his suick. His hands quickened as he worked his action, doing all that he could to entice the would be trophy to clench his lure, but to his and Chris’s dismay “she would not take the bait” as she eventually lost interest. Without giving up, Harry cast three more times into the same hole he originally brought her out of and to his surprise he hooked into a different muski 
"It hit in three to four feet away from the boat. It was raining. The muskie gave me a real fight, it ran three times taking my black and chartreuse eagle tail under the boat. What a fight!" Wi
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Welcome to the Bear's Den Lodge Blog. Bear's Den Lodge posts will take you on a journey from the history of the French River, to stories, nature, fishing tips, great food, adventures and just p
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National Fishing Week, encourages families come together and celebrate one of Canada's oldest family pastimes. Sometimes its new families that wish to tie new bonds and other families that are keep th
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As days become shorter and the leaves begin to change, walleye fishing too turns over a new leaf. Fall is a fabulous time for walleye fishing on the French River! Schools of walleye return from the G
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As every fishing enthusiast can tell you, every fish is a predator. Northern Pike are no exception to this rule as their primeval morphology has not drastically changed over the 60 million years.
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Parry Sound & Area Food Collaborative. Healthy & Sustainable Food System.
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Events, news, visiting French River, Ontario & Land of the Voyagers.
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Conservation & Education Georgian Bay Biosphere.
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The Great Canadian Wilderness, Just North of Toronto. Head Out for Adventure!
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Welcome to the Northern Ontario Tourism Industry information website.
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TNO is the largest of 13 Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
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North America’s Premier Fishing & Destination Show!
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From the French River to the James Bay Coast, there is no denying our Northeastern region is BIG.
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Great cities, great attractions, great outdoors – so many possibilities in all four seasons. Explore the possibilities in Northern Ontario.
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GCFA has had the pleasure of teaching & sharing fishing experiences with female anglers from all over Canada.
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Explore fishing, cottages & resorts on the French River, Canada.
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A river of national historic significance, the French River is the first designated Canadian Heritage River
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Welcome to Destination Canada’s official travel guide to Canada. Bienvenue dans le guide touristique officiel de Destination Canada.
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Situated at the entrance to the North Channel amidst sparkling white quartzite peaks and pink granite
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Make sure you check the Ontario Parks before heading out
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YOUR Canadian COTTAGE FOR YOUR NEXT GETAWAY! French River Cottages available May, 2020 - 0ctober 2020. 3 day minimum charge per person applies. Prevailing rates available for shorter stays. Less than 3 days have added charges and are available. Make memories with family and friends on the French River, arrive as guests and leave as family!
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Your hosts, Art & Brenda Barefoot
Bear's Den Lodge
2870J Hartley Bay Rd.
Alban, Ont. P0M 1A0
Tel: (705) 857-2757
Winter Address:
124 Shagbark Rd.
Alum Bank, PA 15521
Tel: (814) 839-2443
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